Vehicle-spring.



M; M. M'cINTYRE.

VEHICLE SPRING.

APPLICATION FILED DEC 8 i910.

1,014,406. Patented Jan. 9, 1912.

WW m4;

terferes with steering the vehicle.

curvature given the latter, with the result. that the curvature or arch of the spring is materially less than that originally given thereto and is somewhat less than that which would be given a spring of the ordinary type for the same load. These variations are represented diagrammatically in Fig. 3, in which a, a represent the ends of the main leaf of the spring of my invention before being subjected to the test; I), Z; the ends of the same main leaf after having been subjected to the test, and c, c the ends of the main leaf of a well-tempered ordinary spring before and after the test. By this construction, I am enabled to usea less amount of tempered steel than ordinarily used, by employing a greater deflection of the same and approaching more nearly the elastic limit of the tempered material, thereby securing the greater ease of riding through the longer and slower period of motion for a given weight without the detrimental effects ordinarily attendant upon the use of an ultra flexible spring which, especially under light loads, by its flexibility, tends to reduce traction and in- The spring having been given the greater arch or camber indicated at a, a the-non-resilient leaves will, after the test, prevent the re; turn of the resilient leaves to the position a, a, but will, on account of their lack of resilience exercise a drag upon the=resilient leaves and hold the latter in the position shown at b, 6 against the lifting action of the resilient leaves.

In applying the spring to a vehicle, the resilient leaves will exercise on the vehicle a certain preliminary or additional lifting effect which will be lacking from a spring as ordinarily constructed and of the same arch-or camber as any spring possesses after the test.

By the method of constructing a spring in accordance with my invention, it is possible, not only to cheapen somewhat the cost of the spring (owing to the relative cheapness of the non-resilient metal therein) but, in fitting the resilient leaves, to give to the latter a curvature or arch which will cause the spring, when straightened (either under the test or under the incidents of use) to approach within a comparatively small percentage of the elastic limit of the steel, while making the assembled spring as safe, reliable and even more durable than one which has not been given such extreme deflection. This is rendered possible by the incorporation into the spring of the relatively non-resilient leaves, which lengthen the period of vibration of the' spring. Furthermore, the use of two materials of different hardness for the leaves will cause agreater friction therebetween than ifthe leaves were of the same degree of hardness, thereby lei-igthening the period of vibration of the spring.

Having thus described my invention,

what I claim is:,-

1. A spring comprising a plurality of leaves of resilient metal and one or more leaves of relatively non-resilient metal com bined with the former leaves and being of material strength and opposing a material resistance to the movements of the resilient leaves, whereby the non-resilient leaves contribute to the strength and diminish the vibrations of the resilient leaves.

2.--A spring comprising a plurality of leaves of tempered resilient metal and one or more leaves of relatively non-resilient untempered metal interposed 'between the former leaves and being of material strength and opposing a material resistance to the movements of the former leaves, and means connecting the ends of the non-resilient leaves to the other leaves.

3. A spring comprising a plurality of leaves of tempered resilient metal'and one or more leaves of relatively non-resilient metal interposed between the former leaves and possessing material strength and adapted to oppose material resistance to the move ments of the resilient leaves without material detraction from the friction between the leaves of the spring, and means clamping the ends of. the non-resilient leaves to the resilient leaves.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto allix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MICHAEL M. MCINIYRE.

\Vitnesses: CHESTER E. CLEMENS, BRENNAN B. WEST. 

